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Bhattacharya S, Paraskar G, Jha M, Gupta GL, Prajapati BG. Deciphering Regulatory T-Cell Dynamics in Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Innovations. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:2215-2236. [PMID: 39144553 PMCID: PMC11320738 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
This Review explores how tumor-associated regulatory cells (Tregs) affect cancer immunotherapy. It shows how Tregs play a role in keeping the immune system in check, how cancers grow, and how well immunotherapy work. Tregs use many ways to suppress the immune system, and these ways are affected by the tumor microenvironment (TME). New approaches to cancer therapy are showing promise, such as targeting Treg checkpoint receptors precisely and using Fc-engineered antibodies. It is important to tailor treatments to each patient's TME in order to provide personalized care. Understanding Treg biology is essential for creating effective cancer treatments and improving the long-term outcomes of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankha Bhattacharya
- School
of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’S
NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Gaurav Paraskar
- School
of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’S
NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Megha Jha
- School
of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’S
NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Girdhari Lal Gupta
- School
of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’S
NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Bhupendra G. Prajapati
- Shree.
S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ganpat University, Kherva, Gujarat 384012, India
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
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2
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Isoda B, Kandori S, Sazuka T, Kojima T, Nitta S, Shiga M, Nagumo Y, Fujimoto A, Arai T, Sato H, Mathis BJ, Wu CL, Jan YH, Ichikawa T, Nishiyama H. TNFSF9 Is Associated with Favorable Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Are Treated with the Combination Therapy of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7444. [PMID: 39000552 PMCID: PMC11242552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab (NIVO + IPI) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has shown efficacy, but approximately 20% of patients experience disease progression in the early stages of treatment. No useful biomarkers have been reported to date. Therefore, it is desirable to identify biomarkers to predict treatment responses in advance. We examined the tumor microenvironment (TME)-related gene expression in mRCC patients treated with NIVO + IPI, between the response and non-response groups, using tumor tissues, before administering NIVO + IPI. In TME-related genes, TNFSF9 expression was identified as a candidate for the predictive biomarker. Its expression discriminated between the response and non-response groups with 88.89% sensitivity and 87.50% specificity (AUC = 0.9444). We further analyzed the roles of TNFSF9 in TME using bioinformatics from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. An adaptive immune response was activated in the TNFSF9-high-expression tumors. Indeed, T follicular helper cells, plasma B cells, and tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells were increased in the tumors, which indicates the promotion of humoral immunity due to enhanced T-B interactions. However, as the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) increased in the tumors, the percentage of dysfunctional T cells also increased. This suggests that not only PD-1 but also CTLA-4 inhibition may have suppressed Treg activation and improved the therapeutic effect in the TNFSF9 high-expression tumors. Therefore, TNFSF9 may predict the therapeutic efficacy of NIVO + IPI for mRCC and allow more appropriate patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bunpei Isoda
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
| | - Shuya Kandori
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
| | - Tomokazu Sazuka
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Chiba, Japan; (T.S.); (A.F.); (T.A.); (H.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Takahiro Kojima
- Department of Urology, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya 464-8681, Aichi, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Nitta
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
| | - Masanobu Shiga
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
| | - Yoshiyuki Nagumo
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
| | - Ayumi Fujimoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Chiba, Japan; (T.S.); (A.F.); (T.A.); (H.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Takayuki Arai
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Chiba, Japan; (T.S.); (A.F.); (T.A.); (H.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Hiroaki Sato
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Chiba, Japan; (T.S.); (A.F.); (T.A.); (H.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Bryan J. Mathis
- International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba Affiliated Hospital, Tsukuba 305-8576, Ibaraki, Japan;
| | - Chia-Ling Wu
- ACT Genomics, Co., Ltd., Taipei 114, Taiwan; (C.-L.W.); (Y.-H.J.)
| | - Yi-Hua Jan
- ACT Genomics, Co., Ltd., Taipei 114, Taiwan; (C.-L.W.); (Y.-H.J.)
| | - Tomohiko Ichikawa
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Chiba, Japan; (T.S.); (A.F.); (T.A.); (H.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Hiroyuki Nishiyama
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Ibaraki, Japan; (B.I.); (S.N.); (M.S.); (Y.N.); (H.N.)
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3
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Wang Y, Li J, Nakahata S, Iha H. Complex Role of Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) in the Tumor Microenvironment: Their Molecular Mechanisms and Bidirectional Effects on Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7346. [PMID: 39000453 PMCID: PMC11242872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) possess unique immunosuppressive activity among CD4-positive T cells. Tregs are ubiquitously present in mammals and function to calm excessive immune responses, thereby suppressing allergies or autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, due to their immunosuppressive function, Tregs are thought to promote cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a multicellular system composed of many cell types, including tumor cells, infiltrating immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Within this environment, Tregs are recruited by chemokines and metabolic factors and impede effective anti-tumor responses. However, in some cases, their presence can also improve patient's survival rates. Their functional consequences may vary across tumor types, locations, and stages. An in-depth understanding of the precise roles and mechanisms of actions of Treg is crucial for developing effective treatments, emphasizing the need for further investigation and validation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex and multifaceted roles of Tregs within the TME, elucidating cellular communications, signaling pathways, and their impacts on tumor progression and highlighting their potential anti-tumor mechanisms through interactions with functional molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu 879-5593, Japan;
| | - Jiazhou Li
- Division of Biological Information Technology, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
- Division of HTLV-1/ATL Carcinogenesis and Therapeutics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Shingo Nakahata
- Division of HTLV-1/ATL Carcinogenesis and Therapeutics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Hidekatsu Iha
- Department of Microbiology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu 879-5593, Japan;
- Division of Pathophysiology, The Research Center for GLOBAL and LOCAL Infectious Diseases (RCGLID), Oita University, Yufu 879-5593, Japan
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4
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Theune WC, Chen J, Theune EV, Ye X, Ménoret A, Vella AT, Wang K. Interleukin-17 directly stimulates tumor infiltrating Tregs to prevent cancer development. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1408710. [PMID: 38947320 PMCID: PMC11211274 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1408710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines promote protective inflammation for pathogen resistance, but also facilitate autoimmunity and tumor development. A direct signal of IL-17 to regulatory T cells (Tregs) has not been reported and may help explain these dichotomous responses. Methods We generated a conditional knockout of Il17ra in Tregs by crossing Foxp3-YFP-Cre mice to Il17ra-flox mice (Il17ra ΔTreg mice). Subsequently, we adoptively transferred bone marrow cells from Il17ra ΔTreg mice to a mouse model of sporadic colorectal cancer (Cdx2-Cre +/Apc F/+), to selectively ablate IL-17 direct signaling on Tregs in colorectal cancer. Single cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing were performed on purified Tregs from mouse colorectal tumors, and compared to those of human tumor infiltrating Treg cells. Results IL-17 Receptor A (IL-17RA) is expressed in Tregs that reside in mouse mesenteric lymph nodes and colon tumors. Ablation of IL-17RA, specifically in Tregs, resulted in increased Th17 cells, and exacerbated tumor development. Mechanistically, tumor-infiltrating Tregs exhibit a unique gene signature that is linked to their activation, maturation, and suppression function, and this signature is in part supported by the direct signaling of IL-17 to Tregs. To study pathways of Treg programming, we found that loss of IL-17RA in tumor Tregs resulted in reduced RNA splicing, and downregulation of several RNA binding proteins that are known to regulate alternative splicing and promote Treg function. Conclusion IL-17 directly signals to Tregs and promotes their maturation and function. This signaling pathway constitutes a negative feedback loop that controls cancer-promoting inflammation in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C. Theune
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Ju Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
- The Eighth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Eileen Victoria Theune
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Xiaoyang Ye
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Antoine Ménoret
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Anthony T. Vella
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Kepeng Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, United States
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5
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Sincic V, Arlenhold KF, Richtmann S, Lilljebjörn H, Eriksson P, Sjödahl G, Wokander M, Hägerbrand K, Ellmark P, Fioretos T, Borrebaeck CAK, Liedberg F, Lundberg K. Distinct Infiltration of T Cell Populations in Bladder Cancer Molecular Subtypes. Cells 2024; 13:926. [PMID: 38891058 PMCID: PMC11171717 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a heterogenous disease, and molecular subtyping is a promising method to capture this variability. Currently, the immune compartment in relation to subtypes is poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the immune compartment in bladder tumors and normal bladder urothelium with a focus on T cell subpopulations using flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. The results were investigated in relation to tumor invasiveness (NMIBC/MIBC) and molecular subtypes according to the Lund Taxonomy system. Whereas the NMIBC/MIBC differed in the overall immune infiltration only, the molecular subtypes differed both in terms of immune infiltration and immune compartment compositions. The Basal/Squamous (Ba/Sq) and genomically unstable (GU) tumors displayed increased immune infiltration compared to urothelial-like (Uro) tumors. Additionally, the GU tumors had a higher proportion of regulatory T cells within the immune compartment compared to Uro tumors. Furthermore, sequencing showed higher levels of exhaustion in CD8+ T cells from GU tumors compared to both Uro tumors and the control. Although no such difference was detected at the transcriptomic level in Uro tumors compared to the controls, CD8+ T cells in Uro tumors showed higher expression of several exhaustion markers at the protein level. Taken together, our findings indicate that depending on the molecular subtype, different immunotherapeutic interventions might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Sincic
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- CREATE Health Cancer Center, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ken F. Arlenhold
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- CREATE Health Cancer Center, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sarah Richtmann
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- CREATE Health Cancer Center, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Henrik Lilljebjörn
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Eriksson
- Division of Oncology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Gottfrid Sjödahl
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mats Wokander
- Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Ellmark
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- Alligator Bioscience AB, Medicon Village, 223 63 Lund, Sweden
| | - Thoas Fioretos
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University and Regional Laboratories Region Skåne, 221 85 Lund, Sweden
| | - Carl A. K. Borrebaeck
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- CREATE Health Cancer Center, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Liedberg
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Urology, Skåne University Hospital, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Lundberg
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
- CREATE Health Cancer Center, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden
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6
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Georgievski A, Bellaye PS, Tournier B, Choubley H, Pais de Barros JP, Herbst M, Béduneau A, Callier P, Collin B, Végran F, Ballerini P, Garrido C, Quéré R. Valrubicin-loaded immunoliposomes for specific vesicle-mediated cell death in the treatment of hematological cancers. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:328. [PMID: 38734740 PMCID: PMC11088660 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
We created valrubicin-loaded immunoliposomes (Val-ILs) using the antitumor prodrug valrubicin, a hydrophobic analog of daunorubicin. Being lipophilic, valrubicin readily incorporated Val-lLs that were loaded with specific antibodies. Val-ILs injected intravenously rapidly reached the bone marrow and spleen, indicating their potential to effectively target cancer cells in these areas. Following the transplantation of human pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in immunodeficient NSG mice, we generated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, which were treated with Val-ILs loaded with antibodies to target CD19, CD7 or CD33. Only a small amount of valrubicin incorporated into Val-ILs was needed to induce leukemia cell death in vivo, suggesting that this approach could be used to efficiently treat acute leukemia cells. We also demonstrated that Val-ILs could reduce the risk of contamination of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells by acute leukemia cells during autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, which is a significant advantage for clinical applications. Using EL4 lymphoma cells on immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, we also highlighted the potential of Val-ILs to target immunosuppressive cell populations in the spleen, which could be valuable in impairing cancer cell expansion, particularly in lymphoma cases. The most efficient Val-ILs were found to be those loaded with CD11b or CD223 antibodies, which, respectively, target the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) or the lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3 or CD223) on T4 lymphocytes. This study provides a promising preclinical demonstration of the effectiveness and ease of preparation of Val-ILs as a novel nanoparticle technology. In the context of hematological cancers, Val-ILs have the potential to be used as a precise and effective therapy based on targeted vesicle-mediated cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Georgievski
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
| | - Pierre-Simon Bellaye
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Plateforme d'imagerie et de radiothérapie précliniques, Centre Georges François Leclerc-Unicancer, Dijon, France
| | - Benjamin Tournier
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Service de Pathologie, Plateforme de génétique somatique des cancers de Bourgogne, CHU Dijon-Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Hélène Choubley
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
- Plateforme DiviOmics, UMS58 Inserm BioSanD, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Jean-Paul Pais de Barros
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
- Plateforme DiviOmics, UMS58 Inserm BioSanD, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Michaële Herbst
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR6303 CNRS/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Arnaud Béduneau
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, Inserm, UMR1098 RIGHT, Besançon, France
| | - Patrick Callier
- Laboratoire de Génétique Chromosomique et Moléculaire, CHU Dijon-Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Bertrand Collin
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- Plateforme d'imagerie et de radiothérapie précliniques, Centre Georges François Leclerc-Unicancer, Dijon, France
| | - Frédérique Végran
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
- Centre Georges François Leclerc-Unicancer, Dijon, France
| | - Paola Ballerini
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Carmen Garrido
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France
- Centre Georges François Leclerc-Unicancer, Dijon, France
- Label of excellence from la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Paris, France
| | - Ronan Quéré
- Center for Translational and Molecular Medicine, UMR1231 Inserm/Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
- LipSTIC Labex, Dijon, France.
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Rezaie J, Chodari L, Mohammadpour-Asl S, Jafari A, Niknam Z. Cell-mediated barriers in cancer immunosurveillance. Life Sci 2024; 342:122528. [PMID: 38408406 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) exert multifaceted functions ranging from tumor-antagonizing or tumor-promoting activities. During the initial phases of tumor development, the tumor-antagonizing immune cells in the TME combat cancer cells in an immune surveillance process. However, with time, cancer cells can evade detection and impede the immune cells' effectiveness through diverse mechanisms, such as decreasing immunogenic antigen presentation on their surfaces and/or secreting anti-immune factors that cause tolerance in TME. Moreover, some immune cells cause immunosuppressive situations and inhibit antitumoral immune responses. Physical and cellular-mediated barriers in the TME, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor endothelium, the altered lipid composition of tumor cells, and exosomes secreted from cancer cells, also mediate immunosuppression and prevent extravasation of immune cells. Due to successful clinical outcomes of cancer treatment strategies the potential barriers must be identified and addressed. We need to figure out how to optimize cancer immunotherapy strategies, and how to combine therapeutic approaches for maximum clinical benefit. This review provides a detailed overview of various cells and molecules in the TME, their association with escaping from immune surveillance, therapeutic targets, and future perspectives for improving cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Rezaie
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Leila Chodari
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shadi Mohammadpour-Asl
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Zahra Niknam
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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8
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Zhang H, Hu Y, Wu T, Chen Y, Yang B, Xie T. Clinical characteristics and novel strategies of immune checkpoint inhibitor rechallenge therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a comprehensive review. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1309055. [PMID: 38283354 PMCID: PMC10811167 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1309055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has entered the immunotherapy era, marked by significant survival improvements due to the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, owing to factors, such as disease progression, long-term use, and side effects, some patients discontinue immunotherapy, resulting in limited subsequent treatment option and a negative impact on their survival and quality of life. We have collected relevant data which reveal that ICI rechallenge may be an effective clinical strategy. However, many factors affect the efficacy of rechallenge, including patient characteristics, initial treatment drugs, treatment duration, efficacy, toxicity, and side effects. Additionally, the side effects of rechallenge and mechanisms of reversing drug resistance play crucial roles. Identifying suitable candidates, optimizing treatment plans and duration, enhancing treatment efficacy, and minimizing toxicity and adverse effects in rechallenges are pressing clinical needs. Addressing these issues can provide guidance for the clinical use of immunotherapy rechallenges to better serve patients. This review focuses on the clinical considerations and strategies for immune therapy rechallenges in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yujun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Department of Health Management, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yeshan Chen
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tao Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, TongJi Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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9
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Nishibata T, Amino N, Tanaka-Kado R, Tsujimoto S, Kawashima T, Konagai S, Suzuki T, Takeuchi M. Blockade of EP4 by ASP7657 Modulates Myeloid Cell Differentiation In Vivo and Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Radiotherapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:7133726. [PMID: 38058393 PMCID: PMC10697779 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7133726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is thought to influence the antitumor efficacy of immuno-oncology agents through various products of both tumor and stromal cells. One immune-suppressive factor is prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a lipid mediator whose biosynthesis is regulated by ubiquitously expressed cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 1 and inducible COX-2. By activating its receptors, PGE2 induces immune suppression to modulate differentiation of myeloid cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) rather than dendritic cells (DCs). Pharmacological blockade of prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) causes a decrease in MDSCs, reprogramming of macrophage polarization, and increase in tumor-infiltrated T cells, leading to enhancement of antitumor immunity in preclinical models. Here, we report the effects of the highly potent EP4 antagonist ASP7657 on the DC population in tumor and antitumor immune activation in an immunocompetent mouse tumor model. Oral administration of ASP7657 inhibited tumor growth, which was accompanied by an increase in intratumor DC and CD8+ T cell populations and a decrease in the M-MDSC population in a CT26 immunocompetent mouse model. The antitumor activity of ASP7657 was dependent on CD8+ T cells and enhanced when combined with an antiprogrammed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody. Notably, ASP7657 also significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy in an anti-PD-1 antibody refractory model. These results indicate that the therapeutic potential of ASP7657 arises via upregulation of DCs and subsequent CD8+ T cell activation in addition to suppression of MDSCs in mouse models and that combining EP4 antagonists with radiotherapy or an anti-PD-1 antibody can improve antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihide Nishibata
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Amino
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Ruriko Tanaka-Kado
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Susumu Tsujimoto
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kawashima
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Satoshi Konagai
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Suzuki
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiro Takeuchi
- Immuno-oncology, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
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11
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Suzuki K, Kunisada Y, Miyamura N, Eikawa S, Hurtado de Mendoza T, Mose ES, Lu C, Kuroda Y, Ruoslahti E, Lowy AM, Sugahara KN. Tumor-resident regulatory T cells in pancreatic cancer express the αvβ5 integrin as a targetable activation marker. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542137. [PMID: 37292693 PMCID: PMC10245898 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has abundant immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), which contribute to a microenvironment resistant to immunotherapy. Here, we report that Tregs in the PDAC tissue, but not those in the spleen, express the αvβ5 integrin in addition to neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), which makes them susceptible to the iRGD tumor-penetrating peptide, which targets cells positive for αv integrin- and NRP-1. As a result, long-term treatment of PDAC mice with iRGD leads to tumor-specific depletion of Tregs and improved efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade. αvβ5 integrin + Tregs are induced from both naïve CD4 + T cells and natural Tregs upon T cell receptor stimulation, and represent a highly immunosuppressive subpopulation of CCR8 + Tregs. This study identifies the αvβ5 integrin as a marker for activated tumor-resident Tregs, which can be targeted to achieve tumor-specific Treg depletion and thereby augment anti-tumor immunity for PDAC therapy.
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